Method and apparatus for facilitating a secondary wager at a slot machine

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for receiving a wager for a secondary game at a gaming device that offers a primary game, in which the wager indicates at least one parameter corresponding to a potential outcome of the secondary game; determining an outcome of the secondary game; and providing a payout for the secondary game.

This application claims the benefit of commonly-owned, co-pending U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/283,082, filed Apr. 11, 2001,entitled “Gaming Device and Methods of Operation Therefor”; incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/023,149, filed Dec. 18, 2001, entitled “AnElectronic Gaming Device Offering a Game of Knowledge for EnhancedPayouts”; and commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/722,761, filed Nov. 27, 2000, entitled “Method and Apparatus forDirecting a Game with User-Selected Elements”; all of which applicationsare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for facilitatinga secondary wager at a gaming device, such as a slot machine. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to facilitating a secondarywager at a gaming device based on a prediction by a player.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Casino owners and operators face high levels of competition. Althoughcasino gaming previously was available in only a limited number ofjurisdictions, casino patrons now have several choices when electingwhere to play.

Since casino profits are directly proportional to the amount wagered bypatrons, casinos are highly motivated to expand and retain share withintheir given market. A vast majority of casino revenues and profits arederived from patrons who elect to place wagers via slot machines. Thus,casino owners and operators are particularly motivated to draw uponplayers and would-be players of slot machines as a means of increasingprofit levels.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/023,149, entitled “An ElectronicGaming Device Offering a Game of Knowledge for Enhanced Payouts”describes, in some embodiments, a game device and methods of operationthat incorporate a game of skill, such as a trivia game, to the typicalslot machine experience. According to certain embodiments, the triviagame may be conducted at the machine while the machine executes a slotmachine game. For example, a player of the disclosed machine may beasked to answer a trivia question while the reels of the machine are inmotion. According to some embodiments, a player performing well inrelation to the trivia game may become privy to increased chances ofwinning a payout in the slot game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example system according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a controller 102 asdepicted in FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a gaming device 106as depicted in FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating an example data structure of an exampleplayer database 208 as depicted in FIG. 2 for use in some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating an example data structure of an examplegaming devices database 210 as depicted in FIG. 2 for use in someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating an example data structure of an examplesecondary game payout database 212 as depicted in FIG. 2 for use in someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a table illustrating an example data structure of an examplesecondary game probability database 214 as depicted in FIG. 2 for use insome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a table illustrating an example data structure of anotherexample secondary game probability database 214 as depicted in FIG. 2for use in some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a table illustrating an example data structure of an examplesecondary game summary database 216 as depicted in FIG. 2 for use insome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a table illustrating an example data structure of an exampleprimary game payout database 318 as depicted in FIG. 3 for use in someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a table illustrating an example data structure of an exampleprimary game probability database 320 as depicted in FIG. 2 for use insome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process forfacilitating a secondary wager at a gaming device according to and foruse in some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and thatstructural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. The following description is,therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of thepresent invention is defined by the appended claims.

Various embodiments of the present invention operate to provide asecondary game of chance in conjunction with a primary game, such as areel slot machine game. In some embodiments, the secondary game ofchance may be based on player input. For example, player input mayindicate a prediction by the player regarding the outcome of thesecondary game.

Applicants have recognized that a need exists for systems and methodsthat help casinos and other operators of gaming devices to acquire newplayers, retain current players, and increase the profitability ofgaming devices. One benefit of embodiments of the present invention isthat they allow for more involvement of a player in play of a gamingdevice than is typical, and thus provide a more entertaining andexperience for the player. For example, some embodiments of the presentinvention allow a player to place a side bet on the outcome of a slotmachine spin. In other words, beyond receiving a payout for a predefinedwinning outcome, embodiments of the present invention provide the playerwith the opportunity to enhance his gaming experience by receiving apayout if the player accurately predicts various aspects of the outcomeof a slot machine game, such as the occurrence of specific reel symbolsor cards.

Another benefit of embodiments of the present invention is that theembodiments allow a player to be creative in customizing and/orselecting his secondary wagers at a gaming device. Yet another benefitof embodiments of the present invention is that the casino is able todetermine probabilities and payouts for various secondary wagers.Further, the systems of the present invention allow a player to receiveoffers for secondary wagers that are based on information about theplayer and/or information about the player's gaming experience, so theplayer is more likely to accept the offer. Further, the systems of thepresent invention allow a player to place a secondary wager associatedwith one or more gaming devices and/or one or more players. Thus, aplayer may be encouraged to play a gaming device offering theopportunity for more interactive gaming in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention.

A. Definitions

The term “gaming device” shall refer to any gaming machine, including,for example, slot machines, video poker machines, video bingo machines,video keno machines, video lottery machines, and video blackjackmachines, that may or may not be capable of dispensing value in the formof cash, credit, and/or gambling tokens. “Gaming device” shall alsorefer to any device operable to offer a game of chance, such as apersonal computer, set-top box, PDA, online gaming system or device incommunication with an online gaming system, cell phone, or wirelessdevice, and that may or may not be capable of dispensing value in theform of cash, credit, and/or gambling tokens.

A gaming device may include hardware, software, or both, to support theoperations of the present invention in addition to the hardware and/orsoftware used to perform any primary functions of the gaming device.Alternatively, a gaming device may not include any hardware and/orsoftware to support operations of the present invention except to merelyreceive and respond to a signal from a controller, for example,directing the gaming device to dispense a payout and/or to displayinformation.

The term “secondary game” shall refer to any game of chance in which aplayer may determine, characterize, predict, elect, specify, select,approve, accept, indicate, qualify, designate, define, describe,register a preference for, and/or identify one or more parameters of (orone or more criteria for) a potential outcome. An outcome of a secondarygame is compared to the one or more criteria (or parameters) todetermine if the outcome qualifies the player for a payout (e.g., if theoutcome is a “winning” outcome). Thus, a secondary game may incorporateplayer input, such as a prediction about an outcome, in determining theresult of the secondary game.

The term “primary game” shall refer to any game of chance that is not asecondary game.

The term “secondary game outcome” or “outcome of a secondary game” shallrefer to any information used to determine whether a secondary wager issuccessful, regardless of how the information itself is generated orotherwise determined. A secondary game outcome may comprise, forexample, an outcome of a primary game, an outcome that is independent ofa primary game outcome, an outcome of a bonus game, or any combinationof such outcomes.

The terms “secondary wager” shall refer to any wager placed on asecondary game, and may describe or indicate a monetary amountassociated with the wager, one or more parameters of an outcome, orboth.

The term “primary wager” shall refer to any wager on a primary game ofchance, and may describe or indicate a monetary amount associated withthe primary wager.

The term “slot machine game” shall refer to any primary game offered viaa gaming device, including any of various slot machine games, reel slotmachine games, video poker games, video bingo games, video keno games,and video blackjack games.

The term “casino” shall refer to the owner of gaming devices, owners'agents, and/or any entity who may profit from players' use of the gamingdevices.

The term “controller” shall refer to a device that may be incommunication with a plurality of gaming devices, and may be capable ofrelaying communications to and from each.

The term “input device” shall refer to a device that is used to receivean input. An input device may communicate with or be part of anotherdevice (e.g. a point-of-display terminal, a player device, a gamingdevice, a controller, etc.). Some examples of input devices include: abar-code scanner, a magnetic stripe reader, a computer keyboard, atouch-screen, a microphone, an infrared sensor, a sonic ranger, acomputer port, a video camera, a digital camera, a GPS receiver, a radiofrequency identification (RFID) receiver, a RF receiver, a thermometer,and a weight scale.

The term “output device” shall refer to a device that is used to outputinformation. An output device may communicate with or be part of anotherdevice (e.g. a point-of-display terminal, a player device, a gamingdevice, a controller, etc.). Output devices may include, for example: acathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, liquid crystal display (LCD) screen,light emitting diode (LED) screen, a printer, an audio speaker, aninfrared transmitter, and a radio transmitter.

The term “input/output device” shall refer to any combination of inputand/or output devices.

The term “player tracking card” shall refer to a device that may becapable of storing and/or indexing information about a player who is acasino player. This information may include identifying information, aswell as financial information, such as a number of gambling creditsremaining. The player tracking card may be machine-readable, forexample, by an input device or a gaming device. The player tracking cardmay be machine-writable, for example, by an output device or a gamingdevice.

B. System

Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 100 according to some embodiments ofthe present invention includes a controller 102 that is in one ortwo-way communication via a communications network 104 with one or moregaming devices 106, 108, 110. In operation, the controller 102 mayfunction under the control of a casino or other entity that may alsocontrol the gaming devices 106, 108, 110. For example, the controller102 may be a slot server in a casino's gaming device network. In someembodiments, the controller and the gaming device may be one and thesame.

In the embodiment pictured in FIG. 1, communication between thecontroller 102 and the gaming devices 106, 108, 110 may be direct and/orvia a network, such as the Internet, a LAN, and/or a proprietarynetwork.

Each of the controller 102 and the gaming devices 106, 108, 110 maycomprise computers, such as those based on the INTEL® PENTIUM®processor, that are adapted to communicate with each other. Any numberof gaming devices 106, 108, 110 may be in communication with thecontroller 102. The controller 102 and the gaming devices 106, 108, 110may each be physically proximate to each other or geographically remotefrom each other. The controller 102 and the gaming devices 106, 108, 110may each include input devices (not pictured) and output devices (notpictured).

As indicated above, communication between the controller 102 and thegaming devices 106, 108, 110 may be direct or indirect, such as over anInternet Protocol (IP) network such as the Internet, an intranet, or anextranet through a web site maintained by the controller 102 on a remoteserver or over an on-line data network including commercial on-lineservice providers, bulletin board systems, routers, gateways, and thelike. In yet other embodiments, the devices may communicate with thecontroller 102 over local area networks including Ethernet, Token Ring,and the like, radio frequency communications, infrared communications,microwave communications, cable television systems, satellite links,Wide Area Networks (WAN), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks,Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), other wireless networks, andthe like. Some embodiments of the present invention thus provide foron-line gaming

Those skilled in the art will understand that devices in communicationwith each other need not be continually transmitting to each other. Onthe contrary, such devices need only transmit to each other asnecessary, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of thetime. For example, a device in communication with another device via theInternet may not transmit data to the other device for weeks at a time.

The controller 102 may function as a “web server” that presents and/orgenerates web pages, which are documents stored on Internet-connectedcomputers accessible via the World Wide Web using protocols such as,e.g., the hyper-text transfer protocol (“HTTP”). Such documentstypically include one or more hyper-text markup language (“HTML”) files,associated graphics, and script files. A web server allows communicationwith the controller 102 in a manner known in the art. The gaming devices106, 108, 110 may use a web browser, such as NAVIGATOR® published byNETSCAPE® for accessing HTML forms generated or maintained by or onbehalf of the controller 102.

Any or all of the controller 102 and the gaming devices 106, 108, 110may include, for example, telephones, interactive voice response (IVR)systems such as the ML400-IVR designed by MISSING LINK INTERACTIVE VOICERESPONSE SYSTEMS, cellular/wireless phones, pagers, personal computers,and portable types of computers, such as a laptop computer, a wearablecomputer, a palm-top computer, a hand-held computer, and/or a PersonalDigital Assistant (“PDA”). Further details of the controller 102 and thegaming devices 106, 108, 110 are provided below with respect to FIGS. 2and 4.

As indicated above, in some embodiments of the invention the controller102 may include gaming devices 106, 108, 110. Likewise, the controller102 may communicate with players directly instead of through the gamingdevices 106, 108, 110. Although not pictured, the controller 102 and/orthe gaming devices 106, 108, 110 may also be in communication with oneor more player credit institutions to effect transactions. Transactionsmay be effected directly or via a secure financial network such as theFedwire network maintained by the United States Federal Reserve System,the Automated Clearing House (hereinafter “ACH”) Network, the ClearingHouse Interbank Payments System (hereinafter “CHIPS”), or the like.

Although only three gaming devices 106, 108, 110 are shown in FIG. 1, itshould be understood that any number of gaming devices may be includedin the system 100.

Generally, any of the gaming devices 106, 108, 110 includes hardware,software, or both, to support operations of the present invention, suchas providing a secondary game, in addition to the hardware and/orsoftware used to provide the primary functionality of the gaming device.For example, gaming devices 106, 108, 110 may offer a typical slotmachine game, such as a three-reel game, in addition to being fittedwith appropriate electronic, mechanical, software and/orelectromechanical means for executing a secondary game of chance.

In some embodiments, some operations of the present invention areperformed by a gaming device, and other operations are performed by thecontroller 102. Alternatively, gaming devices 106, 108, 110 may notinclude any hardware and/or software to support operations of thepresent invention except to merely receive and respond to a signal fromthe controller 102 directing the gaming device to dispense a payout.

In operation, the gaming devices 106, 108, 110 may exchange informationabout the player and any secondary wager(s) via the controller 102. Thegaming devices 106, 108, 110 may provide information to the controller102. The controller 102 may provide information to the gaming devices106, 108, 110. The controller 102 also may provide various controlsignals to the gaming devices 106, 108, 110, directing them to presentoffers, display game information, generate game outcomes, providepayouts to players, etc.

C. Devices

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating details of an example of thecontroller 102 of FIG. 1. The controller 102 is operative to manage thesystem and execute methods of the present invention. For example, someor all of the processes for providing a secondary game of chance may becarried out by the controller 102. The controller 102 may be implementedas one or more system controllers, one or more dedicated hardwarecircuits, one or more appropriately programmed general purposecomputers, or any other similar electronic, mechanical,electromechanical, and/or human operated device.

The controller 102 may include a processor 200, such as one or morePENTIUM® processors manufactured by INTEL CORPORATION®. The processor200 may include or be coupled to one or more clocks or timers (notpictured), which may be useful for determining information relating to,for example, whether a secondary wager is resolved or successful withina specified time, and one or more communication ports 202 through whichthe processor 200 communicates with other devices, such as the gamingdevices 106, 108, 110. The communication port 202 may be a serial port,modem, wireless transmitter/receiver or the like. The processor 200 isalso in communication with a data storage device 204.

The data storage device 204 includes, for example, an appropriatecombination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, and mayinclude, for example, additional processors, communication ports, RandomAccess Memory (“RAM”), Read-Only Memory (“ROM”), a compact disc and/or ahard disk. The processor 200 and the storage device 204 may each be, forexample: (i) located entirely within a single computer or othercomputing device; or (ii) connected to each other by a remotecommunication medium, such as a serial port cable, a LAN, a telephoneline, radio frequency transceiver, a fiber optic connection or the like.In some embodiments, for example, the controller 102 may comprise one ormore computers (or processors 200) that are connected to a remote servercomputer operative to maintain databases, where the data storage device204 is comprised of the combination of the remote server computer andthe associated databases.

The data storage device 204 stores a program 206 for controlling theprocessor 200. The processor 200 performs instructions of the program206, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention, andparticularly in accordance with the methods described in detail herein.The present invention can be embodied as a computer program developedusing an object-oriented language that allows the modeling of complexsystems with modular objects to create abstractions that arerepresentative of real world, physical objects and theirinterrelationships. However, it would be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that the invention as described herein can beimplemented in many different ways, using a wide range of programmingtechniques as well as general purpose hardware systems or dedicatedcontrollers. The program 206 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiledand/or encrypted format. The program 206 furthermore may include programelements that may be generally useful, such as an operating system, adatabase management system, and “device drivers” for allowing theprocessor 200 to interface with computer peripheral devices.

Further, the program 206 is operative to execute a number ofembodiment-specific modules or subroutines including but not limited toone or more routines to identify a player at a gaming device 106, 108,110 as a potential candidate to be offered a secondary wager; one ormore routines to receive information about a player; one or moreroutines to offer a secondary wager to a player; one or more routines todetermine if a player accepts a secondary wager; one or more routines todetermine the result of a secondary wager; one or more routines tosignal gaming devices 106, 108, 110 to dispense a payout if a secondarywager is successful; one or more routines to facilitate and controlcommunications between gaming devices 106, 108, 110 and the controller102; and one or more routines to control databases or software objectsthat track information regarding players, secondary wagers and gamingdevices 106, 108, 110. Examples of these routines and their operationare described in detail below in conjunction with the flowchart depictedin FIG. 11.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the instructionsof the program 206 may be read into a main memory of the processor 200from another computer-readable medium, such from a ROM to a RAM.Execution of sequences of the instructions in the program 206 causesprocessor 200 to perform the process steps described herein. Inalternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or integrated circuits maybe used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions forimplementation of the processes of the present invention. Thus,embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware, firmware, and/or software.

In addition to the program 206, the storage device 204 is also operativeto store (i) a player database 208, (ii) a gaming devices database 210(iii) a secondary game payout database 212, (iv) a secondary gameprobability database 214, and (v) a secondary game summary database 216.The databases 208, 210, 212, 214, 216 are described in detail below andexample structures are depicted with sample entries in the accompanyingfigures.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the schematicillustrations and accompanying descriptions of the sample databasespresented herein are exemplary arrangements for stored representationsof information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed besidesthose suggested by the tables shown. For example, even though fiveseparate databases are illustrated, the invention could be practicedeffectively using one or more functionally equivalent databases.Similarly, the illustrated entries of the databases represent exemplaryinformation only; those skilled in the art will understand that thenumber and content of the entries can be different from thoseillustrated herein. Further, despite the depiction of the databases astables, an object-based model could be used to store and manipulate thedata types of the present invention and likewise, object methods orbehaviors can be used to implement the processes of the presentinvention. These processes are described below in detail with respect toFIG. 11.

Turning to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an example gaming device 106 isdepicted. A gaming device 106 according to the present invention mayinclude a processor 300 coupled to a communication port 302, and a datastorage device 304.

The communication poet 302 provides one- or two-way data communicationswith the controller 102. For example, the communication poet 302 may beembodied as a serial port, modem, wireless transmitter/receiver or thelike, operative to assist the gaming device 106 in providing one- ortwo-way data communications with the controller 102.

The data storage device 304 includes an appropriate combination ofmagnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, and may include, forexample, additional processors, communication ports, Random AccessMemory (“RAM”), Read-Only Memory (“ROM”), a compact disc and/or a harddisk. The processor 300 and the storage device 304 may each be, forexample: (i) located entirely within a single computer or othercomputing device; or (ii) connected to each other by a remotecommunication medium, such as a serial port cable, a LAN, a telephoneline, radio frequency transceiver, a fiber optic connection or the like.In some embodiments, for example, the gaming device 106 may comprise oneor more computers (or processors 300) that are connected to a remoteserver computer operative to maintain databases, where the data storagedevice 304 is comprised of the combination of the remote server computerand the associated databases.

The data storage device 304 stores a gaming device program 306 forcontrolling the processor 300. The processor 300 performs instructionsof the program 306, and thereby operates in accordance with the presentinvention, and particularly in accordance with the methods described indetail herein. As with the program 206 of the controller 102, theprogram 306 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/or encryptedformat. The program 306 furthermore may include program elements thatmay be generally useful, such as an operating system, a databasemanagement system, and “device drivers” for allowing the processor 300to interface with computer peripheral devices. Appropriate generalpurpose program elements are known to those skilled in the art, and neednot be described in detail herein.

In accordance with the present invention, the gaming device 106, thecontroller 102, or both, may execute the program 306 in order to providea secondary game of chance in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention. For example, the controller 102 may transmit acontrol signal to gaming device 106 to execute the program 306.

The program 306 is operative to execute a number of embodiment-specificmodules or subroutines including but not limited to one or more routinesto identify a player at the gaming device 106 as a potential candidateto be offered a secondary wager; one or more routines to receiveinformation about a player; one or more routines to offer a secondarywager to a player; one or more routines to determine if a player acceptsa secondary wager; one or more routines to determine one or moreparameters associated with a secondary wager; one or more routines todetermine the result of a secondary wager; one or more routines tosignal gaming devices 106, 108, 110 to dispense a payout if a secondarywager is successful; one or more routines to facilitate and controlcommunications between gaming devices 106, 108, 110 and the controller103; and one or more routines to control databases or software objectsthat track information regarding players, secondary wagers and gamingdevices 106, 108, 110. Examples of these routines and their operationare described in detail below in conjunction with the flowchart depictedin FIG. 11.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the instructionsof the program 306 may be read into a main memory of the processor 300from another computer-readable medium, such as from a ROM to a RAM, orfrom data storage device 204 of the controller 102. Execution ofsequences of the instructions in the program 306 causes processor 300 toperform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments,hard-wired circuitry or integrated circuits may be used in place of, orin combination with, software instructions for implementation of theprocesses of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware,firmware, and/or software.

In addition to the program 306, the storage device 304 is also operativeto store (i) a secondary game payout database 312, (ii) a secondary gameprobability database 314, (iii) a secondary game summary database 316,(iv) a primary game payout database 318, and (v) a primary gameprobability database 320. The databases 312, 314, 316 are similar to thedatabases 212, 214, 216 described above with respect to the controller102 depicted in FIG. 2. Databases 212, 214, 216, 318, 320 are describedin detail below and example structures are depicted with sample entriesin the accompanying figures.

The gaming device program 306 may include one or more routines tofacilitate and control communications and interaction with thecontroller 102, as well as a user interface to facilitate communicationsand interaction with a player.

A gaming device 106 according to the present invention may also includean input device 322, a card reader device 324, a display screen 326, apayout dispenser 328, and a random number generator 330.

The random number generator 330 may be used by the gaming device 106 orthe controller 102 to (i) establish an outcome for a primary game, (ii)to establish an outcome for a secondary game of chance, or (iii) both.The random number generator itself may comprise any of manywidely-available random or pseudo-random number generators and may beembodied as hardware, software and/or an appropriate combinationthereof. According to one embodiment of the invention, the random numbergeneration functionality of the invention may be incorporated into theprogram 306. In some embodiments, the random number generator isoperated in response to control signals from the controller 102.

In addition, the gaming device 106 may include one or more input devices(not shown). Appropriate input devices may include, for example: (i) acurrency acceptor, (ii) a player tracking card reader/writer, (iii) aprinter (e.g. for printing receipts), (iv) one or more startingcontrollers for initiating a primary or secondary game of chance, (v) akeypad, (vi) a mouse, (vii) a security camera, etc.

In addition, the gaming device 106 may include one or more outputdevices (not shown). Appropriate output devices may include for example:(i) any number of reels or electronic representations thereof, (ii) adisplay screen, (iii) audio output such as a speaker, (iv) a hopper(i.e., coin/token dispenser) etc.

D. Databases

As indicated above, it should be noted that although the exampleembodiment of FIG. 2 is illustrated to include five particular databasesstored in storage device 204, other database arrangements may be usedwhich would still be in keeping with the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. In other words, the present invention could be implementedusing any number of different database files or data structures, asopposed to the five depicted in FIG. 2. Similarly, although the exampleembodiment of FIG. 3 is illustrated to include five particular databasesstored in storage device 304, other database arrangements may be used.

Further, the individual database files could be stored on differentservers (e.g., located on different storage devices in differentgeographic locations). Likewise, the program 206 could also be locatedremotely from the storage device 204 and/or on another server. Asindicated above, the program 206 includes instructions for retrieving,manipulating, storing and/or indexing data in the databases 208, 210,212, 214, 216 as necessary to perform the methods of the invention asdescribed below. Program 206 and program 306 could be one and the same.

1. Player Database

Turning to FIG. 4, a tabular representation of an embodiment of playerdatabase 208 according to some embodiments of the present invention isillustrated. This particular tabular representation of a player database208 includes two sample records or entries which each includeinformation regarding a particular player. In some embodiments of theinvention, a player database 208 is used to track player informationsuch as the player's name, financial account information, demographicdescription, preferences for secondary wagers, secondary wagers offeredto the player, secondary wagers refused, and secondary wagers accepted.Those skilled in the art will understand that a player database 208 mayinclude any number of records or entries.

The particular tabular representation of a player database 208 depictedin FIG. 4 defines a number of fields for each of the entries or records.The fields may include: (i) a player identifier field 400 that stores arepresentation identifying a particular player; (ii) a name field 402that stores a representation of the player's name; (iii) a financialaccount identifier field 404 that stores a representation of a bank,credit card, debit card, or financial account number that identifies anaccount; (iv) a demographic field 406 that stores a representation of adescription of demographic characteristics of the player for identifyingplayers with desired characteristics to whom secondary wagers may beoffered; (v) a preferences field 408 that stores a representation of adescription of additional information about the player for identifyingsecondary games the player prefers and/or for automatically placingsecondary wagers for the player (and also for identifying players withdesired characteristics to whom secondary wagers may be offered); (vi) asecondary games offered field 410 that stores a representation of thesecondary wagers that the player has been offered in the form of one ormore secondary game type identifiers 600 and/or secondary wagers 602(discussed below); (vii) a secondary wagers refused field 412 thatstores a representation of the secondary wagers that the player hasrefused in the form of one or more secondary game type identifiers 600and/or secondary wagers 602; and (viii) a secondary wagers acceptedfield 414 that stores a representation of the secondary wagers that theplayer has accepted in the form of one or more secondary game typeidentifiers 600 and/or secondary wagers 602.

The example player database 208 of FIG. 4 provides example data toillustrate the meaning of the information stored in this databaseembodiment. A player identifier 400 (e.g., 111123C, 222234C) may beused, for example, to identify and index players who have placed a wageron a secondary game. The player identifier 400 may be unique andalphanumeric, for example, but need not be either unique oralphanumeric.

The first sample entry describes a player named “Bob Smythe,” who has acredit card account number “1111-1111-1111-1111,” and is “male, age 23.”His interests include “basketball, [and] football” and he has registereda preference for “REEL POSITION WAGER”-type secondary games and apreference for a secondary wager of “7—ANY REEL”. According to thesecondary wagers offered field 410, secondary wagers refused field 412,and secondary wagers accepted field 414, Bob Smythe has been offered a“BOARD GAME SIMULATION” wager and a “ORANGE—CENTER REEL” wager, of whichhe refused the first and accepted the second.

The second sample entry describes a player named “Blair Jensen,” who hasa credit card account number “2222-2222-2222-2222,” and is “female, age47.” Her interests include “board games, [and] auto racing” and she hasregistered a preference for automatically having a secondary wagerplaced at any gaming devices offering a “BOARD GAME SIMULATION”-typesecondary game. According to the secondary wagers offered field 410, andsecondary wagers refused field 412, Blair Jensen has been offered andrefused a “REEL POSITION WAGER”-type secondary wager.

2. Gaming Devices Database

Turning to FIG. 5, a tabular representation of an embodiment of a gamingdevices database 210 according to some embodiments of the presentinvention is illustrated. This particular tabular representation of agaming devices database 210 includes three sample records or entrieswhich each include information regarding a particular gaming device. Insome embodiments of the invention, a gaming devices database 210 is usedto track such things as the type and location of each gaming device. Insome embodiments, the gaming devices database 210 is used to track suchthings as what secondary games may be provided at each gaming device.Those skilled in the art will understand that a gaming devices database210 may include any number of records or entries.

The particular tabular representation of a gaming devices database 210depicted in FIG. 5 defines a number of fields for each of the entries orrecords. The fields may include: (i) a gaming device identifier field500 that stores a representation identifying at least one gaming device;(ii) a location field 502 that stores a representation identifying wherethe gaming device is currently located; (iii) a type of device field 504that stores a representation of the type of gaming device; and (iv) asecondary games field 506 that stores a representation describing typesof secondary games the gaming device may provide.

The example gaming devices database 210 of FIG. 5 provides example datato illustrate the meaning of the information stored in this databaseembodiment. A gaming device identifier 500 (e.g., 111G, 2222G, 1234G)may be used to identify and index the different gaming devices listed inthe gaming devices database 210. The gaming device identifier 500 may beunique and alphanumeric, for example, but need not be either unique oralphanumeric. The location field 502, type of device field 504, and thesecondary games field 506 may provide information that allows thecontroller 102, for example, to choose what types of secondary wagers tooffer to a player. Such information may also allow the controller 102 todirect a player to a particular gaming device. For example, a player ata first gaming device may be directed to a second gaming device thatoffers one or more primary or secondary games in which the player mightbe interested.

In the first sample entry, a “video poker” gaming device offering a“card wager”-type secondary game in which the player may predict dealtcards is located on a “casino floor, north.” In the second sample entry,a “three-reel slot machine” is located on the “casino floor, south” andoffers a “board game simulation”-type secondary game, as well as a “reelposition”-type secondary game in which the player can predict outcomesof reel spins.

In the third sample entry, the gaming device is a “personal computer”with an associated Internet protocol (IP) address of “252.160.10.240”.The personal computer enables the player to a “card wager”-typesecondary game in which the player can wager on various parameters ofoutcomes, such as the hands and/or cards dealt.

3. Secondary Game Payout Database

Turning to FIG. 6, a tabular representation of an embodiment of asecondary game payout database 212 according to some embodiments of thepresent invention is illustrated. This particular tabular representationof a secondary game payout database 212 includes sample records orentries which each include information regarding a secondary game payoutfor a particular secondary wager. In some embodiments of the invention,a secondary game payout database 212 is used to track such things assecondary game types, available secondary wagers, and payoutscorresponding to the available secondary wagers. Those skilled in theart will understand that secondary game payout database 212 may includeany number of records or entries.

The particular tabular representation of a secondary game payoutdatabase 212 depicted in FIG. 6 defines a number of fields for each ofthe entries or records. The fields may include: (i) a secondary gametype field 600 that stores a representation of a secondary game type;(ii) a secondary wager field 602 that stores a representation of adescription of a secondary wager associated with the secondary game; and(iii) a secondary game payout field 604 that stores a representation ofa payout for a corresponding secondary wager.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the gamingdevice 106 and/or the controller 102 may utilize the information storedin the secondary game payout database 212 (or database 312) in providinga payout to a player who made a successful secondary wager (e.g., theplayer predicted or identified one or more parameters subsequently metby the secondary game outcome).

The example secondary game payout database 212 depicted in FIG. 6provides example data to illustrate the meaning of the informationstored in this database embodiment. A secondary game type identifier 600(e.g. “BOARD GAME SIMULATION”) may be used to identify and index thesecondary games listed in the secondary game payout database 212. Thesecondary game type identifier 600 may be descriptive, unique, and/oralphanumeric, for example, but need not be either descriptive, unique,or alphanumeric. The secondary game type identifier may be arepresentation of a description of the type of game. Examples ofsecondary wagers are provided in the secondary wager field 602. Thesecondary game payout field 604 lists examples of payout ratios and/orpayout amounts that may be used to determine a payout for a player ifthe player makes an accurate prediction for a secondary game.

The example secondary wagers have one or more corresponding parameters,or criteria, that may be used to determine whether the player wins thesecondary wager. Such criteria may include, but are not limited to: awager amount, a reel, a position, a payline, a position on arepresentation of a game board, a represented game piece or token, areel symbol, a card, a payout, an event, a probability, a number ofsymbols, a number of positions, a number of plays, a number of spins, anumber of cards, a number of hands, a number of turns or selections in abonus round or bonus game, a time, a period of time, a number ofplayers, a number of slot machines, an amount won, an amount lost, agame device, and a player.

Appropriate and available parameters will vary, of course, dependingupon the type of secondary game on which the player is wagering. Forexample, for a secondary game that requires the player to predictsomething about the outcome of a slot machine spin, the player mayindicate a symbol, a reel, or both.

In an exemplary side bet, a player indicates one or more reels of a slotmachine game and a symbol that will be displayed when the reel comes torest at one or more displayed lines. Some slot machine games, forexample, display multiple lines and thus display more than one symbolfor each reel. Of course, one or more symbols, and/or one or more reels,may be specified in the wager.

Another exemplary side bet indicates a reel and a position, or stop, ofthe reel that will be displayed when the reel comes to rest. Anotherexemplary side bet indicates a symbol and a position on the displayscreen at which the player predicts the symbol will come to rest.Another exemplary side bet indicates a symbol and at least one paylineon which the symbol will appear when the reels come to rest.

In some embodiments, the player predicts an event or occurrence in thesecondary game. For example, the player may predict that during a playof a slot machine game, the first reel will stop spinning last.

Some slot machines provide a representation of a board game. During playof the slot machine game, a video token moves around the game board inaccordance with a simulated roll of dice. In some embodiments of thepresent invention, a player can make a secondary wager predicting one ormore spaces on a represented game board where the token will come torest as a result of the dice roll, or as a result of the simulated playof the board game.

For example, the player may predict that the token will come to rest ata position seven spaces from the starting position of the game token.For instance, the resting, or final, position of the game token could beseven spaces ahead (or behind) the starting position. In anotherexample, the player can predict a type of position or game board spaceon which the token will come to rest. Of course, many other suchpredictions are possible, and the possible parameters that may bepredicted will vary according to the secondary game provided.

In another example, for a secondary game in which the player predictsthe next position of a game token on a representation of a board game,the player may indicate the predicted next position. In another example,the player could predict that a representation of a game token will haveto move backwards, that the player will win a payout in a bonus game, orthat the player will lose a bonus game.

In another example, in some bonus games a player makes one or moreselections from various options, and may continue to make selectionsuntil a particular option is chosen and the bonus game ends. In suchembodiments, a secondary game could be provided in which, for example,the player predicts how many selections the player will be able to makebefore the bonus game ends. Similarly, some bonus games allow for aplayer to advance along a representation of a path or board game (e.g.,based on simulated dice rolls, based on spins of a wheel numbered incorrespondence with a number of spaces moved) until a finish is reachedor some other event ends the bonus game. In some embodiments, asecondary game could be provided in which, for example, the playerpredicts how many dice rolls or other turns the player will be able totake until the bonus game ends.

In other embodiments related to bonus games, the player may make aprediction as to the amount or value of a bonus prize or bonus payout.Bonus games typically award coins or credits, free spins, or payoutmultipliers. In a secondary wager, a player could make a predictionabout, for example, the amount of a bonus payout (e.g., “100 coins”,“less than 50 coins”), a number of free spins (e.g., “5 spins”, “morethan 3 spins”, or a multiplier (e.g., “5×”, “2×or 3×”).

In another example, a secondary game includes displaying video of asports event. A player could predict an event or occurrence in thesports event, such as a score (e.g., a touchdown, a field goal), a scoreattempt, or a foul. In another example, a secondary game is based on adisplayed video and the player can place a secondary wager on the lengthof the video.

In some embodiments, the player can make a prediction as to the outcomeof a simulated dice roll (or roll of one die). For example, a player canpredict that the dice roll will be “7”. In another example, the playercan predict that the simulated dice roll will be “doubles” (e.g., two“6's”). In another example, the player can predict a value for one ormore individual die (e.g., one “2”; or one “1” and one “6”).

In other embodiments, the player can make a prediction as to the outcomeof a race. The race may be an electronic simulation (e.g., of race carson a racetrack), a live video feed, or recorded video of a race. Forexample, the player may place a wager on the winner of the race, theloser of the race, or on any other position in the race.

In some of the embodiments, the player may elect to have the gamingdevice 106 pick one or more of the criteria. For example, the gamingdevice 106 may offer to select a reel symbol at random for the playerand place a secondary wager using the random symbol as a criterion forthe secondary game outcome. If the player agrees, the gaming devicedetermines a symbol (e.g., “ORANGE”) and a reel (e.g., the leftmostreel), for example, and executes the secondary game based on thecriteria. In another example, the gaming device 106 provides a reelsymbol and prompts the player to predict how many of the symbol willappear anywhere in the next reel spin, in a payline in the next reelspin, or anywhere in the next five reel spins.

In some embodiments, the criteria correspond to a predicted number ofplays of a primary game. For example, the player may guess how many slotmachine spins it will take to have ten “CHERRY” symbols displayed, orhow many hands of video poker it will take to have five aces dealt tothe player.

In other embodiments, the criteria may correspond to a period of time.For example, the player may predict how long it will take to achieve oneor more criteria. For instance, the player may place a secondary wagerspecifying that it will take less than ten minutes to get a winningoutcome in a primary game. In another example, the player places asecondary wager on his guess that he will accumulate ten or more“CHERRY” reel symbols in the next five minutes.

Similarly, in other embodiments the player may make a predictioncorresponding to a specified time or event. For example, the player mayplace a secondary wager predicting that he will win more than aspecified amount, or accumulate a number of reel symbols, before a timeor event (e.g., 10 p.m., the time the player checks out of his hotel,the end of a sporting event).

Numerous different example criteria are described herein with respect tosecondary wagers. It will be understood that any number of criteria maybe associated with a particular secondary wager, and further understoodthat a player may place more than one active secondary wager at onetime.

In the first and second sample entries of secondary game payout database212, the exemplary secondary game type is a “BOARD GAME SIMULATION” inwhich a player can place a wager (e.g., specify one or more criteria) asto which area or position on a representation of a board game aparticular game piece will land when a “move” is represented. In thefirst sample entry, the secondary wager is based on a prediction thatthe game piece will come to rest at a position that is two spaces fromits starting position (e.g., “CURRENT POSITION+2”), and has acorresponding payout of “30:1.” In the second sample entry, thesecondary wager is based on a prediction that the game piece will landat a position that is twelve spaces from the initial position (e.g.,“CURRENT POSITION+12”), and has a corresponding payout of “30:1.”

In the third and fourth sample entries, the exemplary secondary gametype is a “REEL POSITION WAGER” in which a player places a wager (e.g.,makes a prediction) as to at which position, or on which symbol, aparticular slot machine reel will come to rest during play of a slotmachine game. In the third sample entry, the secondary wager is that aplay of the primary slot machine game will result in one or more“ORANGE” symbols being displayed on any reel (e.g., “ORANGE—ANY REEL”).In the fourth sample entry, the secondary wager is that a play of theslot machine game will result in an “ORANGE” symbol coming to restanywhere on the center reel (e.g., “ORANGE—CENTER REEL”).

4. Secondary Game Probability Database

Turning to FIG. 7A, a tabular representation of an embodiment of asecondary game probability database 214 according to some embodiments ofthe present invention is illustrated. This particular tabularrepresentation of a secondary game probability database 214 includessample records or entries which each include information regardingprobabilities, frequencies, or statistical likelihoods associated with aboard game simulation-type secondary game. In some embodiments of theinvention, a secondary game probability database 214 is used to tracksuch things as secondary wagers and probabilities corresponding to thesecondary wagers. Those skilled in the art will understand thatsecondary game probability database 214 may include any number ofrecords or entries.

The particular tabular representation of a secondary game probabilitydatabase 214 depicted in FIG. 7 for a particular secondary game definesa number of fields for each of the entries or records. The fields mayinclude: (i) a secondary wager field 702 that stores a representation ofa description of a secondary wager associated with the secondary gameand (ii) a secondary game probability field 704 that stores arepresentation of a probability for a corresponding secondary wager.

The example secondary game probability database 214 of FIG. 7A providesexample data to illustrate the meaning of the information stored in thisdatabase embodiment in the context of a board game simulation type ofsecondary game, in which a player may wager on the occurrence ofcriteria qualifying the player for a payout based on the movement of arepresentation of a board game piece. A secondary wager field 702 (e.g.“CURRENT POSITION+2”, “CURRENT POSITION+5”) may be used to identify andindex the different secondary wagers available for the secondary game.The secondary game probability field 704 may be used by the controller102 and/or the gaming device 106, for example, to determineprobabilities (e.g., “1 in 36”) for the success of various secondarywagers.

An alternative example secondary game probability database 214 of FIG.7B includes sample records or entries which each include informationregarding probabilities, frequencies, or statistical likelihoodsassociated with a reel position wager-type secondary game. Thealternative example secondary game probability database 214 of FIG. 7Bprovides example data to illustrate the meaning of the informationstored in this database embodiment in the context of a reel positionwager-type of secondary game. The secondary wager field 702 (e.g.“‘7’—FIRST REEL”) may be used to identify and index the differentsecondary wagers available for the reel position wager-type secondarygame. The secondary game probability field 704 may be used by thecontroller 102, for example, to determine a probability (e.g., “1/22”)for the success of various secondary wagers.

5. Secondary Game Summary Database

Turning to FIG. 8, a tabular representation of an embodiment ofsecondary game summary database 216 according to some embodiments of thepresent invention is illustrated. This particular tabular representationof a secondary game summary database 216 includes two sample records orentries which each include information regarding a particular secondarywager. In some embodiments of the invention, a secondary game summarydatabase 208 is used to track player information such as secondarywagers, gaming device identifiers, wager amounts, secondary games,secondary game criteria, secondary game outcome information, a result ofthe secondary game, and secondary game payouts. Those skilled in the artwill understand that a secondary game summary database 216 may includeany number of records or entries.

The particular tabular representation of a secondary game summarydatabase 216 depicted in FIG. 8 defines a number of fields for each ofthe entries or records. The fields may include: (i) a secondary wagerinstance identifier field 800 that stores a representation identifying aparticular instance of a secondary wager; (ii) a gaming deviceidentifier field 802 that stores a representation identifying one ormore gaming devices at which the secondary game is played; (iii) aplayer identifier field 804 that stores a representation identifying aparticular player; (iii) an amount field 806 that stores arepresentation of an amount wagered on the secondary game; (iv) asecondary wager field 808 that stores a representation of a descriptionof the secondary wager; (v) a secondary game criteria field 810 thatstores a representation identifying one or more criteria for determiningif the secondary wager is successful; (vi) a secondary game outcomefield 812 that stores a representation identifying outcome dataassociated with the secondary game; (vi) a secondary game result field814 that stores a representation identifying a result of the secondarygame; and a (vii) a secondary game payout field 816 that stores arepresentation of any payout provided the player based on the result ofthe secondary game.

The example secondary game summary database 216 of FIG. 8 providesexample data to illustrate the meaning of the information stored in thisdatabase embodiment. A secondary wager instance identifier 800 (e.g.,SG001, SG002) may be used to identify and index the different secondarywagers listed in the secondary game summary database 216. The secondarywager instance identifier 800 may be unique and alphanumeric, forexample, but need not be either unique or alphanumeric. The gamingdevice identifier field 802 may provide information that allows thecontroller 102, for example, to identify at which device the secondarygame was executed, and to instruct the appropriate gaming device todispense a payout to a player. The player placing the secondary wagermay be identified by the player identifier field 804. The amount field806 may provide information that allows the controller 102, for example,to determine how much the player wagered on the secondary game. Suchinformation may also allow the controller 102 to determine a payoutamount if a secondary wager is successful. The secondary wager field 808identifies the context of the secondary game, and the secondary gamecriteria field 810, secondary game outcome field 812, and secondary gameresult field 814 may provide information that allows the controller 102,for example, to determine whether the wager is successful. For example,the outcome data may be compared to the secondary game criteria todetermine whether the player has correctly predicted an outcome of asecondary game in order to establish a result of the secondary game.

The secondary game criteria field 810 may store information definingcertain criteria or conditions that must be met in order for a secondarywager to be deemed successful. Such information may include, forexample, information indicating that the generation of a certain randomnumber is required, that a specific slot machine outcome is required,that a slot machine reel must come to rest at a certain position orbearing a certain symbol, that a wager is at least a minimum amount,that a representation of a board game piece held an initial position orhas achieved a certain position within a board game simulation, etc. Ofcourse, different criteria may be appropriate for different types ofsecondary wagers.

The secondary game result field 814 may store information definingwhether or not the player has placed a successful secondary wager (e.g.,“WIN”, “LOSS”, “TIE” (or “PUSH”, “DRAW”)). The secondary game payoutfield 810 may be used by the controller 102, for example, to store anindication of any payout provided to the player identified in playeridentifier field 80X.

The first sample entry describes a secondary wager instance “SG001” atgaming device “1111G” by the player identified as “111123P” for anamount of “$1.00.”The secondary wager of “CURRENT POSITION+2”corresponds to the criteria that the generated random number be “1”. Thesecondary game outcome indicates a generated random number of “1”. Acorresponding “WIN” is indicated as a result of the player's prediction,and a payout of “$30” was provided for the successful wager on thesecondary game.

The second sample entry describes a secondary wager “SG002” at gamingdevice “2222G” by the player identified as “222234P” for an amount of“$0.25.” The secondary wager of “ORANGE—ANY REEL” corresponds to thegame criteria that a generated random number be one of “026, 051, 135,144, 255, 259. . .”. The secondary game outcome was a random number of“8,522”. A “LOSS” is indicated as a result of the player's prediction,and a payout of “N/A” indicates that no payout was provided for theunsuccessful secondary wager.

6. Primary Game Payout Database

In a typical primary game, as is well known in the art, one or morepotential outcomes are predefined as winning outcomes (e.g.,“CHERRY/CHERRY/CHERRY”, four of a kind) and correspond to a payout, andone or more potential outcomes are predefined as non-winning outcomesand typically do not result in a payout. A player at a gaming device(e.g., three-reel slot machine) typically makes a wager (e.g., one ormore credits or coins) that the outcome of a play of the primary game(e.g., slot reel spin) will produce at least one of the predefinedwinning outcomes.

Turning to FIG. 9, a tabular representation of an embodiment of aprimary game payout database 318 according to some embodiments of thepresent invention is illustrated. This particular tabular representationof a primary game payout database 318 includes sample records or entrieswhich each include information regarding a particular primary gameoutcome. In some embodiments of the invention, a primary game payoutdatabase 318 is used to track such things as primary game outcomes andpayouts corresponding to the various outcomes. Those skilled in the artwill understand that a primary game payout database 318 may include anynumber of records or entries.

The particular tabular representation of a primary game payout database318 depicted in FIG. 9 defines a number of fields for each of theentries or records. The fields may include: (i) a primary game outcomefield 902 that stores a representation of an outcome of the primary gameand (ii) primary game payout fields 904, 906, 908 that store arepresentation of one or more payouts for a corresponding primaryoutcome. In some embodiments, the amount of a payout is based on anamount wagered on the primary game.

The example primary game payout database 318 depicted in FIG. 9 providesexample data to illustrate the meaning of the information stored in thisdatabase embodiment. Examples of outcomes of a three-reel slot machinegame are provided in the primary game outcome field 902 (e.g.,“CHERRY/CHERRY/ANY”). The primary game payout fields 904, 906, 908 listexamples of payout amounts corresponding to the particular outcome basedon different wagers (e.g., “1 COIN WAGERED”, “2 COINS WAGERED”, “3 COINSWAGERED”).

One sample entry describes a primary game outcome for a three-reel slotmachine game of “CHERRY/CHERRY/ANY”. If the player wagered one coin, thecorresponding payout is “5” coins. If the player wagered two coins, thepayout is “10” coins. If the player wagered three coins, the payout is“15” coins.

7. Primary Game Probability Database

Turning to FIG. 10, a tabular representation of an embodiment of aprimary game probability database 320 according to some embodiments ofthe present invention is illustrated. This particular tabularrepresentation of a primary game probability database 320 includessample records or entries which each include information regarding aparticular primary game. In some embodiments of the invention, a primarygame probability database 320 is used to track such things as primarygame outcomes, random numbers, and expected hits per cycle correspondingto the potential outcomes of the primary games. Those skilled in the artwill understand that primary game probability database 320 may includeany number of records or entries.

The particular tabular representation of a primary game probabilitydatabase 320 depicted in FIG. 10 defines a number of fields for each ofthe entries or records. The fields may include: (i) a primary gameoutcome field 1002 that stores a representation of an outcome of aprimary game; (ii) a random number field 1004 that stores arepresentation of a number associated with the outcome; and (iii) anexpected hits per cycle field 1006 that stores a representation of anexpected number of times the particular outcome will occur within a“cycle” of plays of the primary game.

The example primary game probability database 320 depicted in FIG. 10provides example data to illustrate the meaning of the informationstored in this database embodiment. Examples of outcomes of a three-reelslot machine game are provided in the primary game outcome field 1002(e.g., “NON-WINNING COMBINATION”, “CHERRY/CHERRY/ANY”). Each outcomecorresponds to one or more numbers, or ranges of numbers, generatedduring play of the primary game, as indicated in the random number field1004.

For example, a typical slot machine reel may include twenty-twopositions at which the reel may come to rest during the course of a slotmachine game. A typical machine may have three reels. Therefore, eachmachine may offer 10,648 unique combinations of reel positions(22×22×22=10,648). Thus, the information stored in the example randomnumber field 5× may encompass the ordinal range of numbers including 1through 10,648. Each number may be associated with a correspondingpositioning of the slot machine reels. The expected hits per cycle field50× lists examples of probability ratios in the form of expected hitsper cycle (e.g., “8570” hits per every 10,648 plays). Such informationmay be used to determine a probability of achieving a particularoutcome.

One sample entry describes a primary game outcome of“CHERRY/CHERRY/ANY”. The outcome corresponds to a random number in therange “9931-10130.” The likelihood of achieving such an outcome (e.g.,of generating a random number in the range 9931-10130; of getting“CHERRY/CHERRY/ANY”) is represented as an expected hits per cycle of“200”, which corresponds to a probability of achieving the outcome 200times in every cycle (i.e., in every 10,648 plays).

E. Process Descriptions

The system discussed above, including the hardware components and thedatabases, are useful to perform the methods of the invention. However,it should be understood that not all of the above described componentsand databases are necessary to perform any of the present invention'smethods. In fact, in some embodiments, none of the above describedsystem is required to practice the invention's methods. The systemdescribed above is an example of a system that would be useful inpracticing the invention's methods.

For example, the secondary game summary database 216 described above isuseful for tracking secondary wagers and information about them, but itis not absolutely necessary to have such a database in order to performthe methods of the invention. In other words, the methods describedbelow may be practiced, for example, using a list of secondary wagerswith corresponding odds, payouts, and/or other information.

Referring to FIG. 11, a flow chart is depicted that represents someembodiments of the present invention that may be performed by thecontroller 102 (FIG. 2), the gaming devices 106, 108, 110 (FIG. 3), andany combination thereof. As discussed above, the controller 102 may beone and the same with any or all of the gaming device 106, 108, 110.

It must be understood that the particular arrangement of elements in theflow chart of FIG. 11, as well as the order of example steps of variousmethods discussed herein, is not meant to imply a fixed order, sequence,and/or timing to the steps. Embodiments of the present invention can bepracticed in any order, sequence, and/or timing that is practicable.

In general terms and referring to FIG. 11, a method of the presentinvention as performed by the gaming device 106 may be summarized asfollows. In Step S1, the gaming device 106 receives a wager for asecondary game. In Step S2, the gaming device 106 determines at leastone parameter for a potential secondary game outcome based on the wager.In Step S3, an outcome of the secondary game is determined. In Step S4,the gaming device 106 determines whether the secondary wager issuccessful. In Step S5, a payout is provided for on the secondary wagerif the wager is successful.

In the subsections that follow, each of these five steps will now bediscussed in greater detail.

Note that not all of these five steps are required to perform the methodof the present invention, and that additional steps and alternativesteps are also discussed below. Also note that the above general stepsrepresent features of only some of the embodiments of the presentinvention. The general steps may be combined in any number of differentways so that the method includes fewer actual steps. One or more generalsteps may also be subdivided in any number of different ways into moreactual steps.

For example, in some embodiments many additional steps may be added toupdate and maintain the databases described above. As indicated,however, it is not necessary to use the above-described databases in allembodiments of the invention. In other words, the methods of the presentinvention may contain any number of steps that are practicable toimplement the processes described herein. The methods of the presentinvention are now discussed in detail.

1. Receive a Wager on a Secondary Game

In Step S1, the gaming device 106 receives a wager on a secondary game.In some embodiments, the gaming device 106 receives an indication of asecondary wager, for example, through the player's transacting orinteracting with the gaming device 106. The gaming device 106 may sensethat coins are deposited, for example, in a currency acceptor designatedfor secondary wagers. In another example, the player is prompted by thegaming device 106 to input money for a secondary wager.

In some embodiments, after being prompted, or of his own volition, aplayer may communicate information about a secondary wager to the gamingdevice 106. Communication may occur through keys, pointer device, touchscreens, voice input, wireless technology, buttons, other mode, or anycombination of such modes.

In some embodiments, a player presses a button on the gaming device 106to place a secondary wager. For example, a “Side Bet” button may debitan account balance and direct the debited amount to a secondary wager.One or more secondary wager criteria may be associated with pressing aparticular button, and different buttons may be provided for differentsecondary wagers.

In another example, a secondary wager may be indicated to the gamingdevice 106 by receiving a card. The card may be one corresponding to afinancial account, such as a credit card or debit card. The card mayalso be an ATM card or a player tracking card. Information about asecondary wager, such as one more preferences for a secondary wageramount and/or secondary wager criteria, may be stored in a memory of acard and received via the card reader 310.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the gaming device 106presents an offer to the player and the player indicates his acceptanceor rejection of an offered secondary wager. Such an offer may indicatean invitation to input secondary wager information, one or morecriteria, a probability of success, a potential outcome, a minimum ormaximum wager amount, or any combination of such information. The offermay be presented to the player in many different ways including: viatext displayed on an LCD or other display screen or device; via one ormore buttons for placing a secondary wager; via back-lightingpre-composed text; via a message sent to a player device, such as a PDA,via text printed on a paper, via a computer synthesized voice; via apre-recorded voice; via a live voice; and/or via a Braillerepresentation.

If the player rejects the offer, the process terminates. In someembodiments, the system may present an alternate offer or modify theexisting offer (e.g., suggest different criteria, a differentprobability, or a different payout) to make it more appealing. If theplayer accepts the offer, the gaming device 106 proceeds to determine anoutcome of the secondary game.

According to various different embodiments, a player may indicate hisacceptance of a secondary wager in many different ways including:pressing an “accept” or similar button on a gaming device 106 or a touchscreen of the device; verbally communicating his acceptance; signing awritten document and, optionally, inserting the executed document intothe gaming device 106; signing a touch screen; providing a finger print;providing a retinal scan or other unique biometric, providing a print ora number of a credit or debit card; or transmitting a written,electronic, or voice message to a phone number or address designated bythe gaming device 106.

2. Determine at Least One Parameter for a Secondary Game Outcome

In Step S2, the gaming device 106 determines at least one parameterassociated with a potential outcome of the secondary game, based on thesecondary wager. For example, the secondary wager may indicate theplayer's prediction about a potential outcome, or some aspect of apotential outcome, of the secondary game.

In some embodiments, the secondary wager criteria may be determinedbased on the wager amount. Different secondary wager amounts could beassociated with different predictions for the outcome of the secondarygame. For example, a $1 side bet may uniquely indicate a secondary wagerthat an “ORANGE” symbol will appear on any reel in a reel slot machinegame. The casino may establish such associations based on theprobabilities of various secondary wagers.

In other embodiments, the player inputs a selection to the gaming device106 in placing the wager. For example, in a secondary game based on reelslot machine game, the gaming device 106 may prompt the player to selectone of the various reel symbols and to pick one or more reels. Inanother example, the gaming device 106 prompts the player to select oneof the various reel symbols (e.g., “7”) and to pick one or moredisplayed reel stops in a multi-lined slot machine game. In someembodiments, the player touches a display screen to make his selections.

In some embodiments, a player or casino representative, such as a slothost, may indicate a secondary wager to the gaming device 106 byspeaking into or near a microphone at the gaming device 106. Voicerecognition may be used to translate the audio signal into informationabout a secondary wager for use by the gaming device 106. In otherembodiments, a player's PDA, cell phone, or other device may indicate asecondary wager to the gaming device 106 using, for example, a wirelessprotocol(such as Bluetooth as described at

http://www.bluetooth.com/developer/specification/specification.asp).

In some embodiments, the player may be identified to the gaming device106 and one or more parameters of the secondary wager may be identifiedbased on stored information about the player. For example, one or moresecondary wagers may be associated with the player. For instance, theplayer may have registered his favorite side bets with the system 100.Alternatively, or in addition, the system 100 may maintain a gaminghistory for the player, such as in secondary game summary database 216,which may be used to determine the side bets the player has made themost often, the side bets the player has won the most on, the side betsthe player has made most recently, etc.

Other stored information about the player may include, for example, apreference for a particular secondary wager amount, a preference for aparticular secondary game on which to place a wager, and/or one or morecriteria for predicting an outcome of a secondary game. Informationabout the player may reveal which secondary wagers may be particularlydesirable to the player. For example, a player at a gaming device 106who has indicated a preference for racing may be likely to place asecondary wager on a race game. The gaming device 106 may retrieveinformation about secondary wagers from its own databases, databases atthe controller 102, and/or other online databases. Such information maybe received by the gaming device 106, for example, from the controller102 in response to transmitting the player identifier 400 to thecontroller 102.

Thus, the receipt of information regarding a player, the player'spreferences, gaming history, and other information may allow the system100 of the invention to provide secondary wagers tailored to aparticular player and to determine secondary wagers that the player maybe predisposed to accept.

3. Determine an Outcome for the Secondary Game

In Step S3, an outcome of the secondary game is determined. As describedabove, the outcome of a primary game, such as a slot machine game orvideo poker game, may provide the basis on which the outcome of thesecondary game is determined. For example, data indicating one or morereel symbols resulting from reel spin may comprise the secondary gameoutcome. In other embodiments, the outcome of the secondary game isindependent of a primary game. For example, the secondary game outcomemay be associated with a simulated dice roll (e.g., “7”), a move in arepresentation of a board game, a player selection in a bonus game, anyresult of a player selection in a bonus game (e.g., a bonus prize of 100coins), or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the gaming device 106 may generate a random numberand determine an outcome of the secondary game based on the randomnumber. For example, gaming device 106 may determine a final game boardposition based on a random number generated for the board gamesimulation. In other embodiments, the outcome of the secondary game,such as the number of spaces a piece moves, or the final position of apiece, may be determined based on a number generated for the primaryslot machine game, such as for a reel spin.

4. Determine Whether the Secondary Wager is Successful

In Step S4, the gaming device 106 determines whether the secondary wageris successful for the player. In order to determine whether thesecondary wager was successful for the player, the gaming device 106compares the one or more criteria of the secondary wager with theoutcome of the secondary game.

For example, if the player predicted that a “CHERRY” symbol would appearon the second reel after a slot spin, the gaming device 106 comparesthose criteria to the actual outcome of the slot spin to determinewhether the player successfully predicted some aspect of the actual slotspin outcome.

In another example, the one or more parameters indicated by thesecondary wager may indicate a potential outcome or set of potentialoutcomes that corresponds to one or more random numbers. If a randomnumber (or random numbers) associated with the outcome of the secondarygame satisfies the one or more parameters of the secondary wager (e.g.,is one of the random numbers associated with the predicted outcome), thesecondary wager is successful.

In another example, the player could have wagered that a simulated diceroll in a board game simulation would result in a game token moving to aparticular position. If the secondary game outcome is such that the gametoken in fact moves to the predicted position, the secondary wager issuccessful. In another example, the player could have wagered that asimulated dice roll in a board game simulation would result in a roll of“7”. If the roll is “7”, the player successfully predicted the secondarygame outcome.

If the secondary wager was unsuccessful (e.g., the secondary gameoutcome failed to meet one or more of the parameters of the secondarywager), the process ends.

5. Provide a Payout Based on the Secondary Wager

In Step S5, a payout is provided based on the secondary wager. Thegaming device 106 provides the payout, be it cash, tokens, rewardpoints, tickets, stamps, consumables, product, information, equity,options, gambling tokens, toys, other products, and services. Productsmay be in the form of information such as music, audio, and videorecordings. Entertainment products, such as music videos may bedisplayed directly on the dispensing device 106, or transferred inbinary form, to a player's PDA. Payouts may include game featureadd-ons, such as bonus rounds or eligibility for progressive jackpots.Services may include: clothes washing, car washing, etc. Identifying apayout may entail deciding whether to offer a payout at all.

For a gaming device-type dispensing device in particular, payouts mayinclude: cash; credits; gambling tokens; reward points; increased oddsof winning; increased prize tables; insurance against losses; theability to play a large denomination machine for a small denomination;the free use of an extra slot in a multi-slot machine; being permittedto play for free; having winnings rounded to a higher level (e.g., $50rounded to $75); the enablement of extra prize-winning symbols on a slotmachine; the enablement of extra pay lines on the slot machine;discounts on various products; and auxiliary payouts, such as free (orsubsidized) meals or hotel rooms.

As noted above, if the outcome of the secondary wager is not a winningoutcome (i.e., fails to meet the criteria of the secondary wager), thenthe process ends and the gaming device typically does not need toprovide a payout to the player. In some embodiments, however, gamingdevice 106 may provide a benefit to the player in order, for example, toencourage the player to continuing playing a primary game, a secondarygame, or both.

5.1. Determine the Payout

In some embodiments, the payout is based on the wager amount. Forexample, the gaming device 106 can calculate the payout amount based ona multiplier of the wager amount (e.g., “30:1”, “5×”). In anotherexample, the gaming device 106 looks up the payout corresponding to thesecondary wager (e.g., “30” coins) in a database, such as secondary gamepayout database 212.

In some embodiments, the payout is based on the statistical likelihoodthat the secondary wager will be successful. In a board game example,the slot machine of the present invention may reward less favorablepayouts for wagers indicating that the board game piece will move atotal of seven spaces due to the fact that of the thirty-six uniqueoutcomes achievable with a pair of six-sided dice, a large proportion ofthose outcomes result in a total of “7”.

In some embodiments, the payout is based on a predetermined flat rate.For example, all successful secondary wagers for a particular secondarygame may receive a S1 payout regardless of the specified criteria. Inanother example, all successful secondary wagers for a particularsecondary game may receive a payout that is five times the wager amount,regardless of the specified criteria.

5.2. Provide the Payout

In some embodiments, the payout is dispensed to the player by the gamingdevice 106 as coins or tokens, preferably via a payout dispenser 328,such as those possessed by slot machines for dispensing tokens. In otherembodiments, the payout is provided to the player as free spins or as anamount credited to an account balance of the player. In yet otherembodiments, the gaming device 106 rewards the player by turning on oneor more “pay-to-play” features of a primary game, such as by making theplayer eligible for one or more bonus games. In still other embodiments,the gaming device 106 provides a receipt or tickets redeemable for cash,credit, products, or services.

In some embodiments, the gaming device 106 provides the payout inresponse to a signal to do so from the controller 102. Information maybe dispensed on a machine-readable medium, such as a floppy disk or aDVD. Information or some other indication of a payout, such as a creditbalance, may also be transmitted to a player device, such as a cellphone or a PDA, or stored on a card belonging to the player.

F. Example Illustrative Embodiment of the Invention

The following example illustrates one sample embodiment of the presentinvention. It involves a secondary wager predicting an outcome of a reelslot machine game.

A player approached a three-reel, three-lined slot machine, inserted herplayer tracking card into the card reader, and inserted the maximum betfor one payline across the second displayed line. On the display screen,she was presented with the following message:

-   -   Would you like to place a $1 side bet on your spin? Even if your        spin does not hit, you could still win your side bet! Select        from the following options:    -   1. Pick your favorite reel symbol (or let me pick one for you)        and guess which reel your symbol will appear on! And it doesn't        have to be on the payline! You can select an additional symbol        for $1 more, or pick an additional reel for $1 more—it's up to        you! Win up to $5 on your side bet!    -   2. Pick a “Hot Spot”! Pick your favorite reel symbol (or let me        pick one for you) and guess which displayed stop your symbol        will appear at! You can pick any one of the nine displayed        stops, even one that's not on your payline! Win up to $30 on        your side bet!    -   Just insert $1 or hit the “Side Bet” button, then pick one of        the reel symbols displayed at the bottom of the screen (or        select “Random Symbol”) to get started.

Once the player had placed a inserted her player tracking card into aslot machine-type gaming device 106 and placed a wager on the slotmachine game, the gaming device 106 presented the above offer for asecondary wager.

The player signaled her acceptance of the offer by inserting anotherdollar into the slot machine and selected a displayed “ORANGE” reelsymbol on the slot machine's touch screen by pressing it. The slotmachine then prompted the player to select a reel or a displayedposition. The player pressed a displayed “2” above the second displayedreel and then pressed a “Finish” button on the slot machine's touchscreen to complete the side bet. The gaming device 106 stored anindication of the one dollar secondary wager, the “ORANGE” reel symbolcriterion, and the second reel criterion, and prompted the player tospin the slot reels. She pushed the “Spin” button to play the slotmachine game.

The resulting slot spin showed “CHERRY/ORANGE/PLUM” on the first line,“PLUM/BELL/ORANGE” on the second line (the player's payline), and“BELL/BAR/PLUM” on the third line. The result was not a winning outcomein the primary slot machine game, based on the slot game's payout tableand the player's payline. However, the second reel displayed one“ORANGE” symbol on the first line (not on her payline). The gamingdevice 106 compared the outcome of the spin with the outcome predictedin the player's side bet and determined that the player had won her sidebet because she had predicted the occurrence of an “ORANGE” reel symbolon the second reel, regardless of whether it was on the payline or not.The gaming device 106 dispensed S5 in coins to the player for thesuccessful side bet.

G. Additional Embodiments of the Invention

The following are example alternative variations which illustrateadditional embodiments of the present invention. It should be understoodthat the particular variations described in this section can be combinedwith the different embodiments, or portions thereof, described above inany manner that is practicable. These examples do not constitute adefinition or itemization of all possible embodiments, and those skilledin the art will understand that the present invention is applicable tomany other embodiments. Further, although the following examples arebriefly described for clarity, those skilled in the art will understandhow to make any changes, if necessary, to the above-described apparatusand methods to accommodate these and other embodiments and applications.

The player may, in addition, communicate other personal information,such as a name, demographic description, address, gaming history,hobbies, profession, etc. Any such information may then be stored in adatabase such as, for example, the player database 208 depicted in FIG.4.

In some embodiments, information about the player may be useful indetermining a secondary wager to offer to the player. For example,information about what types of secondary wagers the player has placedbefore, what secondary wagers the player has been offered before, whatoffers the player has refused, what type of odds the player prefers, ora combination of such information, may be helpful in identifying asecondary wager that the player is likely to accept.

In obtaining information about a player, the gaming device 106 mayengage the player in a survey. The survey may be interactive,determining new questions based on answers to prior ones. The survey maybe designed to elicit characteristics of a player that help determinewhat type of secondary wagers the player is likely to make or accept.

Information about the player may disclose one or more types ofactivities or types of games of interest the player. For example,information about the player may indicate the player's preference forcertain hobbies or interests; for particular sports (e.g., basketball)or types of sports (e.g., racing sports, team sports); for particulargames (e.g., MONOPOLY™, poker) or types of games (e.g., board games);for wagers having certain odds; or for any combination of the above.

In some of the various embodiments in which a wager amount is determined(e.g., by entering coins, by pushing a button, by entering a card, bydebiting an account), one portion of a received wager amount may bedirected to a primary wager, and another portion of the wager amount maybe directed to a secondary wager. In some embodiments, the receivedtotal wager amount may be apportioned to the primary and secondarywagers based on player preferences, on predetermined percentages oramounts, or in response to a player selection.

A player may record personal information and information about asecondary wager on a user device such as a PDA. This information may beaccessed by the gaming device 106 in communication with the user device.For example, if the player grants a gaming device 106 permission toaccess his PDA's data, the player's PDA may communicate secondary wagerdata, via infrared transmissions, for example, to the gaming device 106.In view of the personal information and/or wager data, the gaming device106 may present an offer for a secondary wager to the player.

In some embodiments, the gaming device 106 at which the player isplaying may not have a particular secondary game in memory (e.g., indata storage device 304). The controller 102 may use information in thegaming devices database 210 to identify another gaming device (e.g.,gaming device 108) having the particular secondary game. As discussedabove, the controller 102 may enable communication between the twogaming devices, so that the player may play the secondary game from hisgaming device 106. In some embodiments, software for operating thesecondary game may be transmitted to the player's gaming device 106 viathe controller 102. In other embodiments, software for operating thesecondary game may be transmitted to the controller 102, and the playermay play the secondary game via his gaming device 106 in communicationwith the controller 102.

It is further a feature of the present invention that any of the gamingdevices 106, 108, 110 may operate to determine odds for various outcomesof the secondary game of chance.

In some embodiments, the probability or probabilities associated with asecondary game may be determined based on the type of secondary game.For example, one or more probabilities may be retrieved from a database(e.g., secondary game probability database 214) based on the secondarygame type, such as a dice roll simulation or reel symbol predictiongame.

In some embodiments, once a secondary wager is received, gaming device106 looks up a corresponding probability for the side bet in thesecondary game probability database 214. For example, if the playermakes a secondary wager predicting that a “CHERRY” reel symbol will showanywhere on the first reel of a slot machine, the slot machine can lookup a corresponding probability (e.g., “30:1”) that the player willaccurately predict the outcome. In some embodiments, the gaming device106 could also determine a payout amount based on the probability. Forexample, a particular payout (e.g., “30:1”) could be associated with apredetermined probability (e.g., “36:1”).

Alternatively, or in addition, a gaming device 106 may calculate acorresponding probability based on information about the secondary gameand/or the secondary wager criteria. For example, the gaming device 106may not have a stored probability corresponding to the particularsecondary wager, but may be able to calculate a probability based ondata about the secondary game and secondary wager criteria, such as theavailable reel symbols, the number of available reel symbols, the numberof predicted symbols, the positions of the symbols on the reel, or thenumber of positions and/or symbols displayed when the reels come torest, as well as various combinations of these and other factors. Ofcourse, different factors will be appropriate for different types ofgames.

For example, many typical board games dictate player movements via apair of six-sided dice. Thus the statistical likelihood of certainamounts of movement may be calculated based on the probabilitiesassociated with each roll of the dice. Consider the following table andcorresponding likelihood of occurrence, wherein the leftmost columnindicates the result of a roll of two six-sided dice, the center columnindicates the various individual dice combinations required to achievethe corresponding result and the rightmost column indicates thelikelihood of occurrence of the corresponding result. Result RequiredValue Combination(s) Likelihood 1 None 0 2 (1,1) 1 in 36 3 (1,2), (2,1)1 in 18 4 (1,3), (3,1), (2,2) 1 in 12 5 (1,4), (4,1), (2,3), (3,2) 1 in9 6 (1,5), (5,1), (2,4), (4,2), (3,3) 5 in 36 7 (1,6), (6,1), (2,5),(5,2), (3,4), (4,3) 1 in 6 8 (2,6), (6,2), (3,5), (5,3), (4,4) 5 in 36 9(3,6), (6,3), (4,5), (5,4) 1 in 9 10 (4,6), (6,4), (5,5) 1 in 12 11(5,6), (6,5) 1 in 18 12 (6,6) 1 in 36

Based on these probabilities, the corresponding payouts for secondarywagers corresponding to the various “roll” results could be arrangedsuch that a player predicting the occurrence of a representation of aboard game piece advancing only two spaces may receive a relativelylarger payout than those predicting a move of seven spaces (since sevenis the most likely result and two is among the least likely results). Ofcourse, payouts associated with the various secondary wagers need not bebased on the responding probabilities.

In another example, consider the following illustrations of three basictwenty-two stop slot machine reels and their corresponding symbolallocations. Stop Reel 1 Reel 2 Reel 3 1 Cherry Orange Plum 2 Plum BellBell 3 Bell Bar Orange 4 Bar Cherry Plum 5 Bell Bar Orange 6 OrangeCherry Cherry 7 Bell Bar Plum 8 Plum Bar Orange 9 Bell Orange Plum 10Bell Bar Orange 11 Cherry Cherry Plum 12 Plum Bar Plum 13 Bell PlumOrange 14 Bar Bar Cherry 15 Bell Orange Plum 16 Orange Cherry Plum 17Bell Bar Orange 18 Plum Bar Plum 19 Bell Bell Bar 20 Bell Bar Plum 21Plum Cherry Orange 22 7 7 7

Based on this example information, a gaming device 106 could calculatethe probability of a player successfully placing a wager and predictingthe occurrence of a “7” symbol appearing on the first reel of a primaryslot machine game as 1 in 22.

In some embodiments, a player device, such as a PDA, may indicatesecondary wagers on behalf of its owner or another person. The devicemay be preprogrammed to enter into secondary wagers based on predefinedparameters. For example, a player may program his combination cellphone/PDA to place a secondary wager that a dice roll simulation willresult in a “5”. Of course, one or more primary wagers may be programmedin this manner as well. Then, for example, when the player walks by aslot machine-type gaming device 106, the slot machine may broadcast, viainfrared frequencies, a secondary wager offer. The cell phone/PDA maythen accept the offer on the player's behalf by transmitting theplayer's identifying information. The cell phone/PDA may subsequentlyalert the player that he has entered into a secondary wager.

The secondary game probability field 404 may also provide informationthat allows the controller 102, for example, to identify one or moresecondary wagers having probabilities of interest to a player.

In some embodiments, the player need not place a primary wager at thegaming device. For example, a player could place only a secondary wageron a dice roll simulation at a gaming device. In some embodiments, asecond player may be playing the primary game of a gaming device atwhich a first player places his secondary wager.

In some alternative embodiments, the gaming device 106 provides an offerfor a secondary wager to the player and the player accepts the offer.Secondary wagers may be stored by the system 100 in a database such as,for example, the secondary game payout database 212. The gaming device106 or the controller 102 may access relevant secondary wagers from thesecondary game payout database 212 when a player interacts with a gamingdevice 106. The gaming device 106 or the controller 102 may use arules-based system, for example, to determine an appropriate secondarywager. In some embodiments, the secondary wager may be selected orderived using artificial intelligence.

In some embodiments the gaming device 106, for example, determines oneor more criteria for a secondary wager and determines a probability thatthe wager will be successful based on the criteria. The gaming device106 then provides an indication of the probability of the secondarywager to the player, who then indicates an acceptance or rejection ofthe secondary wager. Alternatively, the gaming device 106 may determinewhether the determined probability satisfies a preference associatedwith the player. For example, a player may have a stored preference inplayer database 208 for side bets having a probability higher than100:1. If the gaming device 106 determines that the probability of thesecondary wager being successful is greater than 100:1, the gamingdevice 106 may place the secondary wager for the player withoutrequiring the player to otherwise indicate his acceptance of the wager.

In other alternative embodiments, the gaming device 106 determines apayout if the side bet is successful, and provides an indication of thepotential payout to the player. The player may then indicate hisacceptance or rejection of the secondary wager. Alternatively, similarto the example above, the gaming device 106 may execute the secondarywager based on a payout preference associated with the player withoutrequiring the player to indicate his acceptance of the secondary wager.

Any information about a secondary wager may be stored in a database suchas secondary game summary database 216. In some embodiments, anindication of the outcome of the secondary game may be transmitted to aplayer tracking card or to a printer. Game summary information could beprinted on a receipt for the player. A receipt may provide a record forthe player of his gaming experience, and may also be used by the playerto receive any payouts for his gaming session. In some embodiments, thereceipt includes a code, such as a bar code, which contains informationabout the player, the player's game summary information, accountbalances, and/or other information. The receipt may be inserted intoanother slot machine enabled to decode the information. The new slotmachine can dispense any payouts to the player, and can also referenceinformation from the receipt in determining whether to offer a secondarywager, what types of wagers to offer, player preferences, etc.

In some embodiments, players may receive ratings based on how often theyplace secondary wagers, on how often they reject offers for secondarywagers, or both. The ratings may be used in determining what secondarywagers to offer the player.

According to some alternative embodiments, a secondary game outcome maybe based on more than one gaming device, including gaming devices otherthan the gaming device at which the player is playing. According toother alternative embodiments, a secondary game outcome may be based ona primary game associated with a different player.

According to some embodiments, a gaming device receives a wager from aplayer predicting an outcome of a secondary game, and determines aresult of the wager based on the prediction. According to otherembodiments, the gaming device receives a wager amount and a predictionabout the outcome of a secondary game, and provides a payout based onthe prediction.

Various embodiments of the present invention offer a player theopportunity to place a secondary wager at a gaming device. According tosome embodiments of the present invention, a gaming device, such as aslot machine, executes a slot machine game in conjunction with one ormore secondary games on which a player can wager.

In some embodiments, a secondary game comprises a player inputting amonetary value in excess of an amount normally required to play a reelslot game, and inputting information representing a symbol selection, orreel position selection, for one or more of the reels of the slotmachine. The slot machine may then provide a payout if the selectedsymbol, for example, appears on one of the reels of the slot machine inthe standard game.

For example, a player may input four coins into a slot machine, withthree coins to be applied toward a wager in a slot machine game and afourth quarter to be applied to a secondary game. According to thisexample, the player may input a parameter to the machine indicating thecontext of the secondary game. Such a parameter may indicate, forexample, a side bet that a “CHERRY” symbol will appear on the payline ofthe slot machine at the completion of the slot machine game. The playermay input such a parameter by, for example, actuating a button on theslot machine that indicates to the slot machine the reel at which theplayer believes the “CHERRY” will appear.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the result of theactivity establishing the outcome of the side bet or secondary game isindependent of the result of a primary game. For example, a slot machinemay be outfitted with an electronic, mechanical or electromechanicalrepresentation of a racetrack, and may operate to move representationsof cars or other race participants around the racetrack. In such sampleembodiments, the outcome of the side bet may be determined either inconjunction with, or independently of, the outcome of a primary slotgame. For example, the outcome of a secondary game may be based on arandom number used to generate the result of a primary game. In anotherexample, the outcome of a secondary game is determined via a separate,random or predetermined process.

According to other embodiments of the invention, a gaming device maydisplay an electronic, mechanical or electromechanical representation ofa board game. The gaming device may generate an outcome associated withthe represented board game. For example, a player may place a wager asto where the player believes a representation of a board game piece willland on the representation of the board game.

Some embodiments of the present invention allow a player to place awager on random outcomes that players typically cannot bet on, such asvarious aspects of bonus rounds. For example, some embodiments allow theplayer to bet on the size of a bonus prize, on how many spaces a gamesymbol moves on a represented game board, and/or on how many turns inthe bonus round a player will get before the bonus round ends.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide for determinationand/or calculation of odds and/or of payouts for a secondary game ofchance.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, a systemcomprises a controller in communication with one or more gaming devices.In some embodiments, the controller or gaming device receives anindication of one or more secondary wagers and directs one or moregaming devices to execute one or more secondary games. In someembodiments, the controller provides an offer for a secondary wager to aplayer at a gaming device.

Some embodiments may also provide for dispensing a payout or creditingan account balance if the secondary wager is successful.

H. Conclusion

It is clear from the foregoing discussion that the disclosed systems andmethods to offer secondary wagers represents an improvement in the artof gaming devices. While the method and apparatus of the presentinvention has been described in terms of its presently preferred andalternate embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that thepresent invention may be practiced with modification and alterationwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The specificationsand drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Further, even though only certain embodiments have been described indetail, those having ordinary skill in the art will certainly appreciateand understand that many modifications, changes, and enhancements arepossible without departing from the teachings thereof. All suchmodifications are intended to be encompassed within the followingclaims.

1. A method comprising: receiving a wager for a secondary game at agaming device offering a primary game, in which the wager indicates atleast one parameter corresponding to a potential outcome of thesecondary game; determining an outcome of the secondary game; andproviding a payout for the secondary game.
 2. The method of claim 1, inwhich receiving the wager comprises: receiving a wager amount.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: determining an outcome of theprimary game. 4-54. (canceled)